Wheel alignment

[hedgehopper]

Our 2005 Northern Lite 10-2 CD is on a 2002 Dodge Ram 3500 dually diesel 2WD. I am wondering how often the truck needs to be aligned. What has been your experience? (The Dodge has a steering stabilizing kit installed that minimizes the "shakes" in the front end.)

[Eric_Lisa]

mkirsch wrote:
I agree, if it drives straight and isn't tearing up the tires, alignments are a waste of money....

I disagree to a certain extent. My alignment guy always checks everything over before doing the alignment. There have been a number of times where he has said 'fix this first then we do the alignment'. They weren't always problems causing symptoms, but if left unchecked they would. For example, worn out tie-rods got replaced before they caused the abnormal tire wear - thus saving early tire replacement.

(No, he was not scamming me - this is an owner/operator who lets me out in the shop to see what he is checking.)

So if you are only going to have the truck around for a few years, yeah an alignment would be a waste of money. On the other hand, if the truck is an investment you want to maximize, then and alignment every few years is worth it.

Thanks,
-Eric

[jaycocreek]

Many things can change or effect your alignment including hitting a curb/bumping a concrete block-stop/going to fast over a speed bump etc etc even putting a lift kit on your truck can effect the alignment..

I do have mine checked if something like that happens to my rig or excessive use on washboardie roads.

Who cares huh..Tires are cheap..(laughing)

[sonuvabug]

Agree with the above comments .... if it ain't broke ... doesn't need fixin'!

[mkirsch]

I agree, if it drives straight and isn't tearing up the tires, alignments are a waste of money.

Keep an eye on that budding death wobble though.

[mountainkowboy]

Other than a stiffer ride, Red drives about the same with or without the TC

[deltabravo]

If it drives good and tracks straight, and the tires don't have abnormal wear, there's probably no need to mess with it.